Satellites are primary targets in modern warfare.

If somebody wants to make killer satellites or satellite killers. That doesn’t need any fundamental technology. The hostile actor requires only large rockets. And the system that recognizes the satellite. Or if the actor wants to close some orbiters. That actor must shoot metal projectiles like nuts to create artificial Kessler Syndrome. This makes things like North Korea's large missiles dangerous. 

France confirms that it’s planning to shoot satellites directly from the ground by using directed energy weapons. Trump’s Golden Dome will transfer the weapons race into space, claim critics. But the fact is that the weapon race is already in space. Satellites play a vital role in modern warfare. And that’s why those systems are targeted for Anti-Satellite, ASAT systems. All big space countries. Can create some kind of satellite killers. Basically, all satellites can act as satellite killers if they are programmed to collide with other satellites. The first killer satellites were tested in the 1960s. 

The Soviets launched the so-called Istrebitel Sputnikov (IS) program to develop killer satellites. Satellites equipped with “special equipment”, like rockets or detonating warheads. To destroy space targets. In November 1968, 4 years after Polyot 1 and 2 were tested for a potential Satellite intercept, Kosmos 248 was successfully destroyed by Kosmos 252, which came within the 5km 'kill radius' and destroyed Kosmos 248 by detonating its warhead.” (Wikipedia, Istrebitel Sputnikov).

Those satellites were launched using Tsyklon rockets. After that. The Soviets started the Almaz and Polyus programs to develop the killer satellites and space combat stations. Those systems included miniature shuttles, MiG-105 “Spiral”, space rocket launchers, and satellites, equipped with machine guns. Things like FOBS (Fractional Orbital Bombardment Systems) made those space systems very dangerous. This is why the U.S. Air Force created their ASAT weapon. After that, things are miniature satellite carriers are suspected. To operate also as ASAT weapons. The miniature satellite is one of the most capable ASAT systems. The miniature satellite can collide with other satellites. Satellite-killer is not the same thing as an anti-ballistic missile system. 

It can hide in the orbiter and then target other satellites. There are also plans to use giant Mylar bags against satellites. Those bags close satellites inside them. And then the puller satellite pulls those satellites into the atmosphere. The ground-based laser systems. These are tools that can destroy suspected satellites. Russians and Chinese are using lasers to blind reconnaissance satellites. The ground-based laser systems. Those that are on high mountains can destroy low-altitude orbiting satellites. Also, laser weapons. Those that are in high-flying aircraft can be effective ASAT systems. Those high-flying ASAT systems are good targets for the spaceborne kinetic, or directed energy weapons. 

Advanced technology in satellites makes it possible. To create radar satellites. That can observe areas of less than 30 centimeters. Those satellites play a primary role in the Ukraine war. And those satellites can be targets for the extended-range anti-radiation missile systems. The missile finds its target like all other anti-radiation missiles. And the low-orbiter satellites. Like IceEye can be those systems' primary targets. This is why those satellites require an effective self-defense capability. When an incoming ASAT missile is coming to the target, there is no time to react. Those missiles can be shot from fighters, bombers, submarines, and surface battle units. The same systems that defend satellites against incoming ASAT missiles can also destroy other satellites. If some FOBS system opens fire. There is not very much time to react. There are two types of this orbital system. 

The system that drops nuclear bombs to the ground. And another version that detonates over the target area. The FOBS system can use the 15-kiloton 200mm nuclear grenades. Or it can detonate above the target area, causing a powerful EMP pulse. The nuclear weapon that is hidden in the satellite can destroy the entire defense system. And this “GoldenEye” type weapon might not need to be released from the capsule. Those satellites don’t need the heat shield if some other satellite or space shuttle takes them into the cargo bay and returns to base. 

New threats are the so-called orbital trash cans. Those satellites are planned to collect space junk. Like satellites that have finished their career. The system can jam the satellite using an EMP pulse. And then that junk collector hijacks that satellite and returns it to the airbase. That kind of system. Can capture things like IceEye satellites. This means that the space is the new place for combatants. And who controls orbitals controls the world. 

https://www.iceye.com/

https://dailygalaxy.com/2025/10/france-just-confirmed-plans-to-fire-lasers-at-satellites-from-the-ground-or-directly-from-orbit/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Almaz

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-satellite_weapon

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kessler_syndrome

https://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikojan-Gurevit%C5%A1_MiG-105

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Istrebitel_Sputnikov

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyus_(spacecraft)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsyklon

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsyklon

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsyklon-2